April is a busy time for the Irish gardener and it’s no different at Airfield Estate. This is one of the most exciting gardening months: spring flowers are blooming, trees are in leaf, and seed sowing can really kick off!
While late frosts and changeable weather do pose a threat, reliably longer and warmer days make this a good time for propagating many plants. Hardy cultivars can be sown outside and tender species can be started indoors for planting out next month. We’ve picked a selection of plants to sow at home in April.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is a delicious, versatile, and understandably popular herb. Coming from Asia, it loves warmth and sunlight. Seeds sown in containers and covered lightly with compost should be kept in a warm, indoor spot until germination. Once the plants have at least 5 ‘true’ leaves they can be moved to their final position: preferably a warm windowsill or greenhouse, though a sheltered, sunny, outdoor spot can work too.
There’s a world of choice available when growing basil from seed, including the familiar Genovese, striking Purple Basil, and heritage varieties like Super Sweet Chen.
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach prefers moist, well-drained, partially-shaded soil. Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly. Thin seedlings to 15cm apart as they grow. In just 6-10 weeks, leaves will be ready to harvest! Baby leaves are great in salads and mature leaves in soups and stir-fries. Renegade is a fast-growing, high-yielding variety that has worked well for us.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Chickpeas are a relatively new crop in Ireland. In our damp climate, they are usually harvested green rather than as dried seed as in warmer regions. They can be sown directly into the ground at 7-13 cm intervals. After a few weeks, dense, weed-suppressing foliage will form. Chickpeas can be harvested as soon as they reach pea size and need minimal cooking. They will keep cropping until the first frost.
Sea holly (Eryngiums)
Sea holly is an architecturally fascinating plant, with spiny leaves, thistle-like flowers, and grey-to-blue hues. It is resilient, being generally pest and disease free and tolerant of poor soils. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden or started in pots. They like lots of sun and free-draining soil. Light is needed for the seeds to germinate, so take care not to cover them when sowing!
Sunflower (Helianthus)
April is a good month for sowing sunflowers. There is a huge range of colours and sizes available, all of which need sunny, sheltered locations, lots of water, and nutrient-rich soil (so be generous with compost when preparing a spot!). Sunflowers can be started in pots or sown directly where they are to grow. They’ll shoot up and provide bright flowers all summer long! In autumn, the seeds can be harvested or left on the flowers as a natural bird feeder.
If you'd like to discover what the garden team are growing this month, why not pay a visit? We are open Wednesday - Sunday!
Subscribe
Enter your email and we’ll send you our latest news and plans.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.